Schools re-open after winter vacation in Valley

Srinagar: The primary and middle schools on Monday re-opened in the winter zone of Jammu and Kashmir after nearly four-month-long winter vacation but heavy snowfall resulted in thin attendance in various educational institutes, even as several private schools postponed the re-opening.

The schools in Srinagar and other parts of the Valley and winter zones of Jammu and Ladakh region were scheduled to re-open on Monday after winter break which started on November 24 last year for all students till eighth standard and from December 8 for those studying in standard nine to twelve.

As the preparations were in the last stage, another spell of snowfall since this morning forced some schools to postpone the scheduled re-opening.

The inclement weather resulted in massive dip in the day temperature and renewed cold conditions in the state. “Many schools re-opened as per schedule but some schools postponed the opening due to heavy snowfall," officials of the education department said.

The officials said that in view of the inclement weather, the local school authorities were given option of either re-opening or postponing the classwork.

However, the ongoing Board Examinations would be held as per schedule, they said. All the schools were scheduled to re-open on February 23 but the winter vacations were extended for the primary and middle classes for the third time this year in the wake of heavy rain and snowfall in the Valley as well as in view of the outbreak of swine flu which had claimed 12 lives and rendered over 350 sick in the state.

High and higher Secondary schools re-opened in the Valley on March 9 after the winter break.